Backyard Hegemony - Reasserting U.S. Influence in the Western Hemisphere: David Shedd

U.S. national security policy in the Western Hemisphere faces critical challenges as the region navigates economic instability and shifting geopolitical alliances. In Cuba, the regime’s lack of energy and economic resources creates a precarious situation, necessitating a delicate balance between applying pressure and preventing a mass migration crisis. Venezuela’s path forward involves a three-phase stabilization strategy, currently focused on redirecting oil revenues to bypass kleptocratic control and facilitate future democratic transitions. Meanwhile, U.S.-Mexico relations remain strained by record-high cartel violence and the complex integration of illicit networks into local political structures, requiring targeted intelligence cooperation with vetted units. Finally, China’s strategic expansion through infrastructure projects and satellite facilities presents a persistent, long-term threat to U.S. influence, as Beijing leverages economic investments to secure regional footholds. David Shedd, former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, provides this analysis of the current security landscape.